Rocky View County is collaborating with the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) and Alberta Forestry and Parks on a proposed community fireguard project west of Bragg Creek to help reduce wildfire risk and improve community safety.
The proposed fireguard would be located on provincial Crown land west of Rocky View County.
A community fireguard is an area where trees, vegetation and other wildfire fuels are removed or reduced to help slow the spread and intensity of wildfire. Fireguards can also provide firefighters with safer strategic areas to respond to an approaching wildfire and help protect nearby people, homes and critical infrastructure.
The project is still in the planning stage. No funding has been approved, and no decision has been made to proceed with construction.
If successful, the project would be delivered through Alberta's Community Fireguard Program on provincial Crown land to help reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience. If the project proceeds, Rocky View County would assume responsibility for the long-term maintenance of the fireguard.
Learn More and Ask Questions
The County is hosting an open house on September 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bragg Creek Community Centre.
Residents, landowners, recreational users and community organizations are invited to learn more about the proposed fireguard, speak with the project team, ask questions and share local considerations as planning continues.
About the Project
On February 10, 2026, Council directed Administration to submit an Expression of Interest to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta’s (FRIAA) Community Fireguard Program. Rocky View County subsequently submitted a funding application and is awaiting a response.
The proposed fireguard is being advanced through a partnership between the Government of Alberta, including Alberta Forestry and Parks and Alberta Wildfire, and Rocky View County. The partners have worked collaboratively on the planning and development of the proposed fireguard, including its location, design and anticipated effectiveness in reducing wildfire risk and supporting wildfire suppression efforts in the Greater Bragg Creek area.
Rocky View County is applying for grant funding to support the project. If funding is approved and the project moves forward, the partnership will be positioned to advance the project toward construction.
The project remains subject to further planning, technical review, environmental and public land requirements, grant program criteria, and Council consideration before construction could proceed.
Project Location
The proposed fireguard would be located on provincial Crown land immediately west of the Rocky View County boundary, between Township Road 232 and Highway 66. The preliminary alignment has been designed to:
- Follow existing roads where possible
- Use previously cleared and disturbed areas
- Incorporate natural landscape features
- Avoid environmentally sensitive areas wherever feasible
Understanding the Map
The map shows the preliminary fireguard alignment and the type of vegetation treatment proposed for different areas.
- Light Green- Fuel Removal (Non-Merchantable Timber): Clear Cut Harvest done by contractor
- Green - Fuel Removal (Merchantable Timber): Clear Cut Harvest by West Fraser
- Light Orange - Fuel Reduction (Mechanical Thinning): Trees and vegetation would be selectively thinned to reduce forest fuels while retaining some tree cover.
- Brown - Steep slope thinning
- Orange - Fuel Reduction (Thin Conifer): Conifer trees would be selectively thinned to reduce forest fuels.
- Peach - Wetland Thinning: Vegetation would be selectively thinned by hand in wetland areas to reduce impacts.
- Yellow - Mulch
- Grey - No treatment
- Black Slanted Lines - No Treatment
- Red Line - Temporary Access
- Blue Line - Watercourse
The alignment, treatment areas and access routes shown on the map are preliminary and may change as planning continues.
What To Expect
If the project moves forward, different vegetation treatments would be used across the proposed fireguard based on location, terrain, environmental conditions and wildfire mitigation requirements.
Some areas would involve removing trees and other forest fuels, while others would be selectively thinned to reduce vegetation while retaining some tree cover. The work would result in visible changes to parts of the landscape, with the extent and appearance varying depending on the treatment used.
The images below show examples from the Bow Valley Community Fireguard, managed in partnership by the Town of Canmore, Municipal District of Bighorn, Kananaskis Improvement District, and Alberta Forestry and Parks. The Bow Valley fireguard is shown as an example of what community fireguard treatments can look like. The proposed Bragg Creek fireguard would be designed for its specific location and conditions.
Bow Valley Community Fireguard images.
Project Timeline
Governance Committee Direction
February 10, 2026: Council directed Administration to submit an Expression of Interest, a formal application for Rocky View County to be considered for Alberta's Community Fireguard Program.
Public Engagement
September 2026: Administration is gathering feedback from residents, nearby landowners, community organizations, and recreational users to help inform its potential role in the project.
Grant Review
September 30, 2026: FRIAA will be reviewing community applications throughout September, with their final decision expected to be made on September 30.
Council Decision
October 6, 2026 (Tentative): If FRIAA selects Rocky View County for funding, administration will provide public feedback collected through community engagement events to Council to inform its review and decision regarding whether to proceed with the Fireguard grant.
What Happens Next
Rocky View County has submitted a funding application to FRIAA's Community Fireguard Program and is awaiting a response.
As planning continues, the County is sharing information about the proposed project, answering questions and gathering local considerations from residents, landowners, recreational users and community organizations.
If funding becomes available, the project team will return to Council for consideration before any decision is made to proceed with construction. The project would also remain subject to further technical planning, environmental and public land requirements, and applicable provincial and program requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Feedback
Do you have feedback on or questions about this project? We want to hear from you. Send us an email to fireguard@rockyview.ca